History of Lent History of Lent FR. WILLIAM SAUNDERS What are the origins of Lent? Did the Church always have this time before Easter? Lent is a special time of prayer, penance, sacrifice and good works in preparation of the celebration of Easter. In the desire to renew the liturgical practices of the Church, The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy of Vatican Council II stated, "The two elements which are especially characteristic of Lent -- the recalling of baptism or the preparation for it, and penance -- should be given greater emphasis in the liturgy and in liturgical catechesis. It is by means of them that the Church prepares the faithful for the celebration of Easter, while they hear God's word more frequently and devote more time to prayer" (no. 109). The word Lent itself is derived from the Anglo-Saxon words lencten, meaning "Spring," and lenctentid, which literally means not only "Springtide" but also was the word for "March," the month in which the majority of Lent falls. Since the earliest times of the Church, there is evidence of some kind of Lenten preparation for Easter. For instance, St. Irenaeus (d.

203) wrote to Pope St. Victor I, commenting on the celebration of Easter and the differences between practices in the East and the West: "The dispute is not only about the day, but also about the actual character of the fast. Some think that they ought to fast for one day, some for two, others for still more; some make their 'day' last 40 hours on end. Such variation in the observance did not originate in our own day, but very much earlier, in the time of our forefathers" (Eusebius, History of the Church, V, 24). When Rufinus translated this passage from Greek into Latin, the punctuation made between "40" and "hours" made the meaning to appear to be "40 days, twenty-four hours a day." The importance of the passage, nevertheless, remains that since the time of "our forefathers" -- always an expression for the apostles -- a 40-day period of Lenten preparation existed. However, the actual practices and duration of Lent were still not homogenous throughout the Church. Lent becomes more regularized after the legalization of Christianity in A.D. 313.

The Council of Nicea (325), in its disciplinary canons, noted that two provincial synods should be held each year, "one before the 40 days of Lent." St. Athanasius (d. 373) in this "Festal Letters" implored his congregation to make a 40-day fast prior to the more intense fasting of Holy Week. St. Cyril of Jerusalem (d. 386) in his Catechectical Lectures, which are the paradigm for our current RCIA programs, had 18 pre-baptismal instructions given to the catechumens during Lent. St. Cyril of Alexandria (d. 444) in his series of "Festal Letters" also noted the practices and duration of Lent, emphasizing the 40-day period of fasting. Finally, Pope St. Leo (d. 461) preached that the faithful must "fulfill with their fasts the Apostolic institution of the 40 days," again noting the apostolic origins of Lent.

One can safely conclude that by the end of the fourth century, the 40-day period of Easter preparation known as Lent existed, and that prayer and fasting constituted its primary spiritual exercises. Of course, the number "40" has always had special spiritual significance regarding preparation. On Mount Sinai, preparing to receive the Ten Commandments, "Moses stayed there with the Lord for 40 days and 40 nights, without eating any food or drinking any water" (Ex 34:28). Elijah walked "40 days and 40 nights" to the mountain of the Lord, Mount Horeb (another name for Sinai) (I Kgs 19:8). Most importantly, Jesus fasted and prayed for "40 days and 40 nights" in the desert before He began His public ministry (Mt 4:2). Once the 40 days of Lent were established, the next development concerned how much fasting was to be done. In Jerusalem, for instance, people fasted for 40 days, Monday through Friday, but not on Saturday or Sunday, thereby making Lent last for eight weeks.

In Rome and in the West, people fasted for six weeks, Monday through Saturday, thereby making Lent last for six weeks. Eventually, the practice prevailed of fasting for six days a week over the course of six weeks, and Ash Wednesday was instituted to bring the number of fast days before Easter to 40. The rules of fasting varied. First, some areas of the Church abstained from all forms of meat and animal products, while others made exceptions for food like fish. For example, Pope St. Gregory (d. 604), writing to St. Augustine of Canterbury, issued the following rule: "We abstain from flesh, meat, and from all things that come from flesh, as milk, cheese and eggs." Nevertheless, I was always taught, "If you gave something up for the Lord, tough it out. Don't act like a Pharisee looking for a loophole." Second, the general rule was for a person to have one meal a day, in the evening or at 3 p.m. These Lenten fasting rules also evolved. Eventually, a smaller repast was allowed during the day to keep up one's strength from manual labor.

Eating fish was allowed, and later eating meat was also allowed through the week except on Ash Wednesday and Friday. Dispensations were given for eating dairy products if a pious work was performed, and eventually this rule was relaxed totally. (However, the abstinence from even dairy products led to the practice of blessing Easter eggs and eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday.) Over the years, modifications have been made to the Lenten observances, making our practices not only simple but also easy. Ash Wednesday still marks the beginning of Lent, which lasts for 40 days, not including Sundays. The present fasting and abstinence laws are very simple: On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, the faithful fast (having only one full meal a day and smaller snacks to keep up one's strength) and abstain from meat; on the other Fridays of Lent, the faithful abstain from meat. People are still encouraged "to give up something" for Lent as a sacrifice. (An interesting note is that technically on Sundays and solemnities like St. Joseph's Day (March 19) and the Annunciation (March 25), one is exempt and can partake of whatever has been offered up for Lent.

Nevertheless, I was always taught, "If you gave something up for the Lord, tough it out. Don't act like a Pharisee looking for a loophole." Moreover, an emphasis must be placed on performing spiritual works, like attending the Stations of the Cross, attending Mass, making a weekly holy hour before the Blessed Sacrament, taking time for personal prayer and spiritual reading and most especially making a good confession and receiving sacramental absolution. Although the practices may have evolved over the centuries, the focus remains the same: to repent of sin, to renew our faith and to prepare to celebrate joyfully the mysteries of our salvation. Acknowledgement Saunders, Rev. William. "History of Lent." Arlington Catholic Herald. This article is reprinted with permission from Arlington Catholic Herald. The Author Father William Saunders is pastor of Our Lady of Hope parish in Potomac Falls, Virginia. He is dean of the Notre Dame Graduate School of Christendom College. The above article is a "Straight Answers" column he wrote for the Arlington Catholic Herald. Father Saunders is the author of Straight Answers , a book based on 100 of his columns, and Straight Answers II .

The First Four Days of Lent, 2016 Grant, O Lord, that we may begin with holy fasting this campaign of Christian service, so that, as we take up battle against spiritual evils, we may be armed with weapons of self-restraint. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. * Joel 2:12-18; Psalm 51: 3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14&17; 2 Cor. 5: 20 - 6:2; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 Daily Meditation: The ashes we use are the burnt palms from last year's celebration of Passion Sunday. We begin our Lenten journey aware of where we are going. We want to enter into the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus for us more fully. That is the purpose of our journey. It is why we mark our heads with his cross. It is why we fast today and abstain from meat. Our Lenten program is not an effort to save ourselves.

We have been saved by his sacrifice. Our self-denial helps us, in the darkness that surrounds us, to prepare ourselves to receive his light. For this is a journey to the Easter font, where we will renew the promises of our Baptism, remembering that in dying with him in the waters of Baptism, we are re-born with him to everlasting life. This year's journey begins today. Yet even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God. For gracious and merciful is he, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment. Today God our Father brings us to the beginning of Lent. We pray that in this time of salvation he will fill us with the Holy Spirit, purify our hearts, and strengthen us in love. Let us humbly ask him: Lord, give us your Holy Spirit. May we be filled and satisfied, - by the word which you give us. Teach us to be loving not only in great and exceptional moments, - but above all in the ordinary events of daily life.

May we abstain from what we do not really need, - and help our brothers and sisters in distress. May we bear the wounds of your Son in our bodies, - for through his body he gave us life. Closing Prayer: it feels like we are embarking on a Lenten journey together, you and I. Today we are invited to let the Holy Spirit purify our hearts, and strengthen us in love. That feels like what I am looking for - or what you are looking for in me. I want to remember how much I need you in my life and how much my life needs redemption. I want to remember it clearly and in the background of my day today and all through Lent. On this special day, Ash Wednesday, may my small sacrifices in fasting be a way to clear away the clutter in my life to see you more clearly. May my longing for meat and other food, help me to focus my life today more outside myself. Let me be aware of those who are in so much more suffering than I am and may I be aware of them as the brothers and sisters you have placed in my life. Lord, I know there is darkness within me and around me. Bless these days with your Word.

Let your Light shine in the darkness. Help me long for that Light until we celebrate it at the Vigil six weeks from now. And most of all Lord, help me to honor this day with the ashes on my forehead. They help me remember where I have come from and where I am going. May I acknowledge to you my sins and my deep need for your loving forgiveness and grace. I pray that this Lenten season will make me so much more aware of how much I need your healing in my life. May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. Prompt our actions with your inspiration, we pray, O Lord, and further them with your constant help, that all we do may always begin from you and by you be brought to completion. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. * Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4, 6; Luke 9:22-25 Daily Meditation: There are so many lessons for our journey in this prayer.

It starts with God's inspiration. We are reminded of the breath of life that God breathed at the beginning of creation and the driving wind of the Holy Spirit's coming at Pentecost. The grace for all we are about to do comes from God. Today we pray to be open to it. Today we also acknowledge that for us to what we need to do these six weeks, we need God's continuing help. Each day, with every prayer, every sacrifice, every act of generosity we will need help which can only come from God. And, finally, we need God's guidance to persevere to the end. There will be tough choices, not only between good and evil, but choices about what is the greater good. We may even be called to do something quite heroic and self-sacrificing. A wonderful prayer. Easy to remember, even memorize. It is possible to say it every day. Intercessions: God has revealed himself in Christ. Let us praise his goodness, and ask him from our hearts: Remember us, Lord, for we are your children. Teach us to enter more deeply into the mystery of the Church, - that it may be more effective for ourselves and for the world as the sacrament of salvation.

Lover of mankind, inspire us to work for human progress, - seeking to spread your kingdom in all we do. May our hearts thirst for Christ, - the fountain of living water. Forgive us our sins, - and direct our steps into the ways of justice and sincerity. Closing Prayer: Let everything I do this day and in this season of Lent come from you, be inspired by you. I long to be closer to you. Help me to remember that nothing is important in my life unless it glorifies you in some way. It's so easy to get caught up in the day to day of my life and keep saying, "Tomorrow, I will spend more time in prayer," but now my longing meets your love and I want to do it now. Help me to rely on you for help. The prayer asks you that I reach perfection. Please, Lord, remind me that "perfection" isn't the crazy, "successful" way I try to live my life, but a perfection of my most authentic, real self. My "perfection" might be holding my many flaws in my open hands, asking you to help me accept them. Heal me, Lord, and help me to find you in the darkness of my life.

Let me reach out in this darkness and feel your hand and love there to guide me. May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. look with compassion on our weakness and ensure us your protection by stretching forth the right hand of your majesty. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. * Isaiah 58:1-9a; Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 18-19; Matthew 9:14-15 Daily Meditation: and an introduction to "True Fasting." We are still in the first four days of Lent. Today and tomorrow we read the 58th Chapter of the book of the prophet Isaiah. These powerful words have such a contemporary message. True fasting will lead us to act justly and caring for those who are most in need. On every Friday of Lent we abstain from meat as a sign of our common penance. It represents our efforts to abstain from - do without - so many other patterns that get in the way of our happiness and wholeness.

Lent in the Catholic Church - About Catholics About Catholics By Andres Ortiz // 87 Comments What is Lent? The season of Lent is a Catholic liturgical season consisting of forty days of fasting, prayer, and penitence beginning at Ash Wednesday and concluding at sundown on Holy Thursday. The official liturgical color for the season of Lent is violet. Lent begins on February 18, 2015. The observance of Lent is related to the celebration of Easter. In the first three centuries of the Christian era, most Christians prepared for Easter by fasting and praying for three days. In some places this was extended to the entire week before Easter (now known as “Holy Week”). There is evidence that in Rome, the length of preparation was three weeks. The word derives from the Middle English word lenten, meaning springtime – the time of lengthening days. There is biblical support for doing penance, but the season of Lent, like all Catholic liturgical seasons, developed over time. In its early three-week form, Lent was the period of intense spiritual and liturgical preparation for catechumens before they were baptized at Easter. Many members of the community imitated this time of preparation with the catechumens.

By the fourth century (when Christianity was legalized) Lent had developed into its current length of forty days, the length of the fast and temptation of Jesus in the desert (cf. Luke 4:1-13). Recently, research has suggested that the development of Lent was also influenced by the forty-day span of fasting practiced by many in the early Church (especially monks). This fast, beginning right after Epiphany (January 6th) stressed prayer and penance. Once most people were Christian and baptized as infants , Lent lost the connection to the preparation of catechumens and the themes of repentance and fasting became dominant. When does Lent begin? Traditionally, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. Since this is more than forty days, some contend that Sundays are not counted and that Holy Thursday, Good Friday , and Holy Saturday are counted instead. Others say that it begins on the first Sunday after Ash Wednesday. No one is exactly sure how Ash Wednesday became the first day of Lent. Many Catholics were taught as children to “give up something” for Lent. The sacrifices in Lent are really penance, in the same spirit as the Ninehvites that repented at the preaching of Jonah.

Throughout our history, Christians have found prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to be an important part of repentance and renewal. Many Catholics now add something during Lent rather than giving up something, either to address personal habits that need work or to add some outreach to others in need. It is not necessary to “give up something” but it would be a tragedy to do nothing. Do Sundays count as a part of Lent? Ash Wednesday It is impossible to determine when the seventh Wednesday before Easter was designated as the beginning of the preparation period before Easter. It does date from at least the fourth century. During that century, penitents looking for forgiveness and re-entry into the community would dress in sackcloth and sprinkle ashes to show their repentance. This custom certainly predates Christianity as can be seen by references in the Hebrew Scriptures (cf. Esther 4:2-3; Danie19:3; Jonah 3:6) and Christian Bible (cf. Matthew 11:21). There is no doubt that the custom of distributing ashes to everyone on Ash Wednesday came from imitation of the practice of wearing ashes by public penitents.

As Lent increasingly focused on the themes of repentance and renewal, Christians sensed their own need for repentance. The practice of distribution of ashes to all members of the community is mentioned in official documents of 1091 (Cf. Synod of Benventum, 1091 Manse, XX, 739) although nearly a hundred years earlier it is already assumed in a homily of the period. Lenten Regulations The Catholic Church, in an attempt to help Catholics do at least a minimum during Lent, asks all Catholics to fast and abstain from meat on certain days. Fasting means to limit food to one full meal a day with the possibility of two smaller meals (not adding up to a full meal) as needed. Abstinence means not eating meat, although fish is allowed. Catholics are asked to observe all days of fasting and abstience which is one of the precepts of the Church . Catholics 14 years of age or older are to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all the Fridays of Lent. Catholics between the ages of 14 and 59 are also to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

If one’s work or health make it inadvisable to fast or abstain from meat, they are not obligated to do so. At one time, people gave up all dairy products and meat during all of the Lenten season. Since chickens continue to produce eggs and cows milk, the custom developed to make the milk into cheese and color the eggs so that when Easter arrived, no food would be wasted. Other Definitions Concerning Lent BBC - Religions - Christianity: Lent Shrove Tuesday Pancakes © Shrove Tuesday is the day before Lent starts: the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. It's a day of penitence, to clean the soul, and a day of celebration as the last chance to feast before Lent begins. Shrove Tuesday is sometimes called Pancake Day after the fried batter recipe traditionally eaten on this day. But there's more to Shrove Tuesday than pigging out on pancakes or taking part in a public pancake race. The pancakes themselves are part of an ancient custom with deeply religious roots. Penitence Shrove Tuesday gets its name from the ritual of shriving that Christians used to undergo in the past. In shriving, a person confesses their sins and receives absolution for them.

When a person receives absolution for their sins, they are forgiven for them and released from the guilt and pain that they have caused them. In the Catholic or Orthodox context, the absolution is pronounced by a priest. This tradition is very old. Over 1000 years ago a monk wrote in the Anglo-Saxon Ecclesiastical Institutes: In the week immediately before Lent everyone shall go to his confessor and confess his deeds and the confessor shall so shrive him. Anglo-Saxon Ecclesiastical Institutes Shrove Tuesday celebrations Shrove Tuesday is a day of celebration as well as penitence, because it's the last day before Lent. Lent is a time of abstinence, of giving things up. So Shrove Tuesday is the last chance to indulge yourself, and to use up the foods that aren't allowed in Lent. Giving up foods: but not wasting them During Lent there are many foods that some Christians - historically and today - would not eat: foods such as meat and fish, fats, eggs, and milky foods. So that no food was wasted, families would have a feast on the shriving Tuesday, and eat up all the foods that wouldn't last the forty days of Lent without going off.

The need to eat up the fats gave rise to the French name Mardi Gras ('fat Tuesday'). Pancakes became associated with Shrove Tuesday as they were a dish that could use up all the eggs, fats and milk in the house with just the addition of flour. The origin of pancake racing Pancake races are thought to have begun in 1445. A woman had lost track of the time on Shrove Tuesday, and was busy cooking pancakes in her kitchen. Suddenly she heard the church bell ringing to call the faithful to church for confession. The woman raced out of her house and ran all the way to church; still holding her frying pan and wearing her apron. Going for gold in the pancake Olympics One of the most famous pancake races is held at Olney in Buckinghamshire over a 415 yard course. The rules are strict; contestants have to toss their pancake at both the start and the finish, as well as wearing an apron and a scarf. The race is followed by a church service. Since 1950 Olney has competed with Liberal in Kansas, which holds an identical race, to see which town can produce the fastest competitor.

After the 2000 race, Liberal was leading with 26 wins to Olney's 24. Ash Wednesday Ash cross marked on forehead © Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent for Western Christian churches. It's a day of penitence to clean the soul before the Lent fast. Roman Catholic, Anglican, and some other churches hold special services at which worshippers are marked with ashes as a symbol of death and sorrow for sin. Ash Wednesday services The service draws on the ancient Biblical traditions of covering one's head with ashes, wearing sackcloth, and fasting. The mark of ashes In Ash Wednesday services churchgoers are marked on the forehead with a cross of ashes as a sign of penitence and mortality. The use of ashes, made by burning palm crosses from the previous Palm Sunday, is very symbolic. God our Father, you create us from the dust of the earth. Grant that these ashes may be for us a sign of our penitence, and a symbol of our mortality.

Traditional Ash Wednesday prayer Anointing with ashes © The minister or priest marks each worshipper on the forehead, and says remember you are dust and unto dust you shall return, or a similar phrase based on God's sentence on Adam in Genesis 3:19. The modern practice in Roman Catholic churches nowadays is for the priest to dip his right thumb in the ashes and, making the Sign of the Cross on each person's forehead, say: Remember, that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return (or a variation on those words). Keeping the mark At some churches the worshippers leave with the mark still on their forehead so that they carry the sign of the cross out into the world. At other churches the service ends with the ashes being washed off as a sign that the participants have been cleansed of their sins.

Symbolism of the ashes The marking of their forehead with a cross made of ashes reminds each churchgoer that: Death comes to everyone They should be sad for their sins They must change themselves for the better God made the first human being by breathing life into dust, and without God, human beings are nothing more than dust and ashes The shape of the mark and the words used are symbolic in other ways: The cross is a reminder of the mark of the cross made at baptism The phrase often used when the ashes are administered reminds Christians of the doctrine of original sin The cross of ashes may symbolise the way Christ's sacrifice on the cross as atonement for sin replaces the Old Testament tradition of making burnt offerings to atone for sin Where the ashes come from The ashes used on Ash Wednesday are made by burning the palm crosses that were blessed on the previous year's Palm Sunday . Ashes can also be bought from Church suppliers. A bag of ashes big enough for 1000 people costs around £8. Ashes and oil The oil is blessed © The ash is sometimes mixed with anointing oil, which makes sure that the ashes make a good mark.

The use of anointing oil also reminds the churchgoer of God's blessings and of the anointing that took place at their baptism. From Palm Sunday to Ash Wednesday Palm Sunday celebrates Jesus's triumphant entry into Jerusalem, so when the crosses used in the Palm Sunday service are converted to ashes, the worshippers are reminded that defeat and crucifixion swiftly followed triumph. But using the ashes to mark the cross on the believer's forehead symbolises that through Christ's death and resurrection, all Christians can be free from sin. What Is Lent? What Is Lent? What is Lent? What is Lent? Each year, Lent is the time we commemorate the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ with prayers, fasting, and alms giving. The Lent definition by the book is defined by the number of days and the penitential observances the Church requires, yet there's not an actual dictionary definition of Lent that has stayed the same throughout all these years. Time wise the season of Lent is the annual 40 days from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday when Catholics fast and abstain from meat, pray, give alms, and sacrifice various pleasures for the love of God.

Lent is the most profitable time to offer prayers, sacrifices and alms in reparation for the sins in our lives because we join the whole Catholic Church in her wise advice to pray, to do penance, and to gain more graces. Audio Baltimore Catechism CDs, Worksheets, and Coloring Pages Children love Lent! Be sure to let them know what the adults are doing. They so often want to do the same sacrifices. It's like rising to a challenge, and they really rise to the idea of helping Jesus. Eating meat for Lent traditionally meant that Catholics only ate meat once a day with no meat on Ash Wednesday and all the Fridays of Lent, especially Good Friday. At the time of this writing and traditionally, it is a mortal sin to eat meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Children can do much of this, yet do check what your diocese asks. The specifics depend on your local bishop since there are local matters of circumstance. For instance some bishops allow Catholics to eat meat on St. Patrick's Day when it falls on a Friday in Lent. Contact the Chancellor's office in your diocese for the rules in your local Ordo. Easter Coloring Pages 1.

Shrove Tuesday Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday. Many Catholics actually prepare for Lent with a celebration. In areas of French influence this is called Mardi Gras as in Louisiana. In this way, our family starts the day before Ash Wednesday. We don't make too, too many festivities on that day since it is hard to eat up leftovers during the rest of the week, but we do like to mark the day. If we do celebrate, we usually have ice cream or something like M&Ms or Skittles for the little ones, so that we can store leftovers till Sunday. Also, we make a point of not having too much so that it is not a sudden dearth to no treats during Lent. We also try to have dark clothes ready for Ash Wednesday's Mass the next day. Another time we try to have dark or black clothes is for the Good Friday liturgy when we try to prepare ourselves as for a solemn funeral, as it commemorates the Burial of Jesus. 2. What is Ash Wednesday? What is Ash Wednesday? The Roman Catholic Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. It represents the forty days that Our Lord Jesus Christ spent in the desert preparing Himself for His public life.

Forty days before Easter Sunday (minus the Sundays in Lent), Catholics remember the meaning of Ash Wednesday by reading the Epistle and the Gospel for the day that tell the story of Man's fall and Original Sin, and God's word to "Remember man that thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return." (Genesis Chapter 1) Lent includes Ash Wednesday, Passion Week, Holy Week, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. The easiest answer for children to understand is that Lent ends on Easter Day. Otherwise they may want to celebrate early on Holy Saturday. Our calendar hawk sure did. All the weeks leading up to Easter remind us about the prophecies made about Jesus in the Old Testament and His public life in the New Testament. We read the foretelling of His coming, Death, and Resurrection and then we read of His historical Death and Resurrection. What is Lent without sorrow for our sins, prayers and sacrifices? His Death was the promised Redemption, the promise given to Adam and Eve at the time of their Fall, or Original Sin. Through Adam death entered the world and by Jesus Christ death is vanquished!

The better we prepare through Lent fasting and praying, the better we will rejoice on Easter Sunday morning when Jesus rose from the dead! Most people use this as a time for more prayer and serious spiritual reading like The Mystical City Of God . 3. How Long Is Lent? Lent usually seems like a long time, but it's only from Ash Wednesday through Holy Saturday. This makes Lent 40 days as we do not fast, or keep Lent, on Sundays. Sundays during Lent are mini feasts and everyone knows that you can't fast on a feast. Stations Of The Cross What is Lent but the best time to pray the Stations of the Cross? Having a booklet to read is a handy way "visit" all 14 Stations of the Cross even in your own home. There are fourteen Stations in the traditional Stations of the Cross. During the Year of the Priest, as asked by Pope Benedict XVI, it was a good idea to say extra Rosaries for our priests and the Consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It's a good idea even now. :-) Even the new Racolta still gives a plenary indulgence for praying the Stations under the usual conditions! See our printable Stations booklet here .

Also, the Sorrowful Mysteries are an excellent Rosary Meditation for the season of Lent when one doesn't have the Stations to read. These five mysteries briefly cover Holy Thursday and Good Friday. What Is Lent For Little Ones? Lent activities for children can answer the question, "What is Lent?" in a way that gives them generous ideas to show their love for Jesus. Show them the pictures of the Way of the Cross and tell them the general story of Holy Week. It is a great idea to use a booklet like a photo album for the littlest children who wonder - what is Lent? Give the children ideas for making sacrifices or saying extra prayers. We have used what a dear friend taught us to do with a Crown of Thorns made of very salty dough and toothpicks that the children can remove when they do a sacrifice for Our Lord. On Ash Wednesday braid the dough to make the "Crown". Then as the dough is drying, insert many, many toothpicks, especially if you have many children. It is similar to the straws in the Crib for Baby Jesus during Advent.

We were happy to have had to reload several times since the children's enthusiasm caused them to make many sacrifices, yet the children were sad to add thorns, too. Watch out! Those toothpicks can be oweee! One time they got stuck so hard that we had to use vise grips to get some of them out. See how to make this on our Catholic Lent activities page . More Lent Activities for Children Other Lent activities for children are to make a "calendar" path of blocks or a grid of calendar squares 7x7, to cover the weeks of Lent, on a large piece of paper or poster board with Lenten symbols. Then we made a legend or list of: hearts for acts of Charity, Crosses for sacrifices, diamonds for Mass and Rosaries, pearls/circles for other prayers, etc. Each child had his or her own different colored pen to make the marks. This worked wonderfully well since they saw the times that they were slacking and worked harder on the other days. We outlined Laetare Sunday in pink and decorated days like Ash Wednesday, St. Patrick's Day, St. Joseph's Feast, St. Benedict...

Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter with little piles of ashes (dots), THREE leafed shamrocks, the three crosses and a radiant sunrise for Easter. This was the best project we have done for Lent since the children saw the fruits of their efforts in a more varied way with the different sacrifices, prayers and acts of Charity. We have loads of Lenten printables for children: Ash Wednesday - Easter / Lent - Catholic Online Ash Wednesday - March 1, 2017 The first day of Lent Ash Wednesday is one of the most popular and important holy days in the liturgical calendar. Ash Wednesday opens Lent, a season of fasting and prayer. Ash Wednesday takes place 46 days before Easter Sunday, and is cheifly observed by Catholics, although many other Christians observe it too. Ash Wednesday comes from the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting. The practice includes the wearing of ashes on the head. The ashes symbolize the dust from which God made us.

As the priest applies the ashes to a person's forehead, he speaks the words: "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." Alternatively, the priest may speak the words, "Repent and believe in the Gospel." Ashes also symbolize grief, in this case, grief that we have sinned and caused division from God. Writings from the Second-century Church refer to the wearing of ashes as a sign of penance. Priests administer ashes during Mass and all are invited to accept the ashes as a visible symbol of penance. Even non-Christians and the excommunicated are welcome to receive the ashes. The ashes are made from blessed palm branches, taken from the previous year's palm Sunday Mass. It is important to remember that Ash Wednesday is a day of penitential prayer and fasting. Some faithful take the rest of the day off work and remain home. It is generally inappropriate to dine out, to shop, or to go about in public after receiving the ashes. Feasting is highly inappropriate. Small children, the elderly and sick are exempt from this observance. It is not required that a person wear the ashes for the rest of the day, and they may be washed off after Mass.

However, many people keep the ashes as a reminder until the evening. Recently, movements have developed that involve pastors distributing ashes to passersby in public places. This isn't considered taboo, but Catholics should know this practice is distinctly Protestant. Catholics should still receive ashes within the context of Mass. In some cases, ashes may be delivered by a priest or a family member to those who are sick or shut-in. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday, through which we attain redemption. Why we receive the ashes Following the example of the Nine vites, who did penance in sackcloth and ashes, our foreheads are marked with ashes to humble our hearts and reminds us that life passes away on Earth. We remember this when we are told "Remember, Man is dust, and unto dust you shall return." Ashes are a symbol of penance made sacramental by the blessing of the Church, and they help us develop a spirit of humility and sacrifice. The distribution of ashes comes from a ceremony of ages past. Christians who had committed grave faults performed public penance.

On Ash Wednesday, the Bishop blessed the hair shirts which they were to wear during the forty days of penance, and sprinkled over them ashes made from the palms from the previous year. Then, while the faithful recited the Seven Penitential Psalms, the penitents were turned out of the church because of their sins -- just as Adam, the first man, was turned out of Paradise because of his disobedience. The penitents did not enter the church again until Maundy Thursday after having won reconciliation by the toil of forty days' penance and sacramental absolution. Later, all Christians, whether public or secret penitents, came to receive ashes out of devotion. In earlier times, the distribution of ashes was followed by a penitential procession. The Ashes The ashes are made from the blessed palms used in the Palm Sunday celebration of the previous year. The ashes are christened with Holy Water and are scented by exposure to incense. While the ashes symbolize penance and contrition, they are also a reminder that God is gracious and merciful to those who call on Him with repentant hearts.

His Divine mercy is of utmost importance during the season of Lent, and the Church calls on us to seek that mercy during the entire Lenten season with reflection, prayer and penance. More Lent & Easter Search Search Lent & Easter 'So it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead' Luke 24:46 What is Lent? | Ken Carlson What is Lent? Published February 23, 2007 | By Ken This entry is part 8 of 9 in the series Holidays Saint Patrick’s Day [I originally wrote this article in February 2007. I have now moved it into the holiday series so that it will be linked to all the other holiday articles.] Lent is a time of soul-searching and repentance in preparation for the celebration of Christ’s death and resurrection on Good Friday and Easter. In the Western Church, Lent consists of the 40 days before Easter, not counting Sundays. The first day of Lent is Ash Wednesday. The day before Lent begins has become a day of feasting and revelry before the solemn fasting of Lent. Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday, because it was the last day for feasting before the Lenten fast.

Some people call the festival Carnival, which is Latin for farewell to meat. [Update: Another theory of the origin of Carnival is given by the Oxford English Dictionary, where the word is derived from Latin carnem levare (removal of the meat) or carnem laxare (leaving the meat) (cited in the Wikipedia article on Ash Wednesday ).] Obviously the sensuality and excess of Mardi Gras has no place in the life of a Christian, and Mardi Gras is in no sense a Christian holiday. The English word lent derives from the Germanic root for Spring (specifically Old English lencten; also the Anglo-Saxon name for March – lenct – as the main part of Lent, before Easter, usually occurred in March). Formerly Lent was referred to by the term quadragesima (or the “fortieth day” before Easter). This nomenclature is preserved in Romance, Slavic and Celtic languages (for example, Spanish cuaresma, Portuguese quaresma, French carême, Italian quaresima) (from Wikipedia ) The history of Lent The earliest reference to a period of fasting and prayer before Easter is in the writings of the 2nd c.

church father Irenaus of Lyons (c.130-c.200), who wrote of a period lasting only two or three days. Apparently at that time there was a variety of practices, with some fasting for one day while others fasted for two. But the interesting thing is that it seems that there was a widespread practice of fasting before Easter. He also argues that the practice already has a long history, so it is possible that it goes back to the 1st century. A few years later, Tertullian also makes reference to a period of fasting before Easter. The first mention of the ancient term for Lent, tessarakoste, occurs in the fifth canon of the Council of Nicea (325 AD). A few years earlier in 311, Athanasius wrote to his flock that they should practice a period of 40 days of fasting prior to the stricter fast of the Holy Week (the week before Easter).

In 339 he wrote another letter urging the people of Alexandria to observe 40 days of fasting as a custom that was universally practiced “to the end that while all the world is fasting, we who are in Egypt should not become a laughing-stock as the only people who do not fast but take our pleasure in those days.” Thus there is clear evidence that a period of fasting before Easter was practiced at least during the 2nd century, and that by the 4th century there was a wide-spread practice of a 40 day fast. The reason for 40 days is probably to be found in the biblical significance of that number in the lives of Noah, Moses, Jonah, and Christ. Is Lent Biblical?

When someone asks “Is Lent biblical?,” the answer depends on what you mean by “biblical.” If you mean “Does the Bible specifically require Christians to practice Lent?,” then the answer is “no.” Of course in that sense of the term, customs such as church choirs or Sunday school would also be “not biblical.” But if you mean “Is the practice of Lent founded on biblical principles,” then the answer is certainly “yes.” The three main practices of Lent from ancient times have been (1) reflection on the significance of Christ’s death along with prayers of repentance and confession, (2) fasting as a means to focus more wholly on God, and (3) giving to assist the poor. All of these are very biblical practices. We are not required to do them specifically during the 40 days prior to Easter, but we can benefit adopting some of the customs of earlier generations of Christians all the way back to the 2nd century. At this point I should also make it clear that Lenten practices, like any spiritual disciplines, do not make us acceptable to God. We are acceptable to God only through coming to Him by faith on the basis of Christ’s death on the cross for our sins (Eph.

2:8-9). Spiritual disciplines are means through which God works in our lives helping us to grow to spiritual maturity, which is being conformed to the character of Christ (Eph. 4:13; Rom. 8:29). Thus, these practices are for our benefit, and not a way to “earn” anything from God. Sometimes Christians in earlier generations lost sight of this fact. How to practice Lent We should view the season of Lent as an opportunity to reflect on the significance of Christ’s death, examine our hearts, and confess our sins. It can be a time of spiritual cleansing and renewal. It is not a “law” that we must follow, and there is a great variety of practices that we can try out. Based on the historic practice of Lent, try doing something in each of these three categories: Fasting Give up something for God. Fasting is not a means to “earn” something from God, but rather a way to learn to curb your appetites and focus more completely on God. There are many varieties of fasting, and I do not have the space to discuss this important topic here. For further information see my FAQ on Christian Fasting .

Prayer and Meditation Read over the Gospel accounts of Christ’s arrest, trial, and crucifixion. Reflect on His suffering, and the tremendous love that it represents. Reflect on your own sin and what it cost Him. Take out some time for prayers of confession and repentance. Do some spiritual “house cleaning.” Giving to the poor Use the money that you save by not eating to help the poor. Consider doing some volunteer work. How can you show the love of Christ to others? For further reading (most of the information in this article is taken from these sources): BBC - Schools - Religion - Christianity Christianity Lent - begins 05 March 2014 Links RE: Quest - Lent An introduction to Lent Lent is the period of six weeks 40 days (not including Sundays) leading up to Easter, the most important festival in the Christian calendar. Lent starts on Ash Wednesday in western Christian Churches. and climaxes during Easter Week . The last week of Lent is called Holy Week. During the 40 days of Lent, Christians remember the time when Jesus went into the desert to fast and pray before beginning his work for God. During this time Jesus was tempted several times by Satan, but was able to resist.

Fasting Lent is a time of giving things up. For Christians, it is one way of remembering the time Jesus' fasted in the desert and is a test of self-discipline. There are many foods that some Christians do not eat in Lent, such as meat and fish, fats, eggs, and milky foods. Some Christians just give up something they really enjoy such as cakes or chocolate. Shrove Tuesday In western Christian churches, the day before Lent starts is Shrove Tuesday. This is also known as Pancake Day. This day was traditionally the last chance to use up the foods Christians would not be eating during Lent. Today people often give up chocolate or alcohol. Festivities take place in many cities all over the world, including Mardi Gras in New Orleans (USA), Carnival in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and Venice (Italy). People dress up, wear masks, parade and dance in the streets. Ash Wednesday On Ash Wednesday many western Christian churches hold services during which Christians are marked on the forehead with a cross of ashes. This is a sign of saying sorry to God for any wrong doing (penitence) and mortality. The ashes come from burning the palm crosses from Palm Sunday of the previous year.

Lent is a time of preparation for Easter , ending in Holy Week.

Question: What is the name given to the first day of Lent
Answer: Ash Wednesday